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WCTC, Workforce Development Board join together for machining boot camp

August 19, 2013

From gmtoday.com: “WCTC, Workforce Development Board join together for machining boot camp” — PEWAUKEE – A few minutes after his graduation ceremony at Waukesha County Technical College on Friday, Gary Davis felt so proud that he took a photo of his certificate laid out on the table in front of him. He wasn’t alone in that feeling of accomplishment as 18 other male and female participants expressed gratitude and optimism to the instructors and others who made the program possible.

The 19 adults learned how to operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery during a boot camp at WCTC. Funding for the boot camp came from a federally funded Water Accelerator Grant administered by the Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington Workforce Development Board. WCTC submitted a proposal to be the training provider for the grant and was awarded it. As a result, CNC and welding boot camps were created in partnership between the WOW Workforce Development Board and WCTC, with input from water industry employers.

While looking for jobs in the newspaper, Davis, 48, of Watertown, said he would see companies always looking for CNC machinist positions. When he learned about the boot camp at WCTC, he thought it would be a great opportunity to get the skills he needed to land one of those jobs.

“It’s a great accomplishment. It makes me feel so good,” Davis said.

Several people in the class, including Davis, had to overcome obstacles like transportation issues, but they also had the staff at WCTC and Workforce Development there to help them succeed.

After completing the coursework, WCTC and Workforce Development staff will continue to work with the students to get their résumés out to employers.

On Friday, WCTC President Barbara Prindiville was excited to see the diversity of the students who had completed the CNC boot camp. And as a person who returned to school as an adult herself, she expressed an appreciation for their effort to better themselves.

“Continue to learn at your job,” she said, addressing the room. “Try to do the best you can do and be recognized in your company as an outstanding performer.”

Francisco Sanchez, president of the WOW Workforce Development, encouraged the boot camp participants to keep in touch with the WCTC and Workforce Development staff who would help them with their job search. He also said Workforce Development has funding available for employers to continue on-the-job training for the boot camp participants.

“I hope I can see you in a company when I go to some of the companies I go to,” Sanchez said.

Qusay Al-Ani of Milwaukee and his father, Abdalhameed, both took the boot camp at WCTC in order to help them find jobs here in the U.S. While living in Iraq, Al-Ani worked as a mechanical engineer and his father worked as an electrical engineer.

Al-Ani said he had good base skills, like math, but didn’t have knowledge of CNC.

“This class is a chance for everyone who comes here,” he said. “I feel like I learned everything about CNC. I am so proud of myself.”